Finally - An Update

Hi Y'all,

OK, so I can't view the blog from China. It's blocked on all the computers I've tried thus far, from Tsinghua University in Beijing, to the youth hostel in Xi'an, to the hostel in Kunming. But I've finally managed to login to my account for the updates, so here's the first one.

So far I've taken around 150 photos, and I plan on taking more once I'm in the mountains. For now, Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, is home for the night. Tomorrow (around 14 hours from now), I'll board a plane to travel to Lijiang. Kunming is thankfully a bit cooler than Beijing, which makes exploring much more pleasant. Tonight, I plan to try a dish called over-the-bridge noodles, for which the Yunnan province is famous. Kunimng is also famous for being the endpoint of the Burma Road, and, after the Japanese cut off the supply route, the base for the Flying Tigers (flying "The Hump", a dangerous part of the Himalayas). Nowadays, it's an industrial center, but with surprisingly better air quality than Beijing (wait'll you see the pics).

I'm hungry for the noodles now, so I'll cut this one short. I'm hoping to include a photo or two in the next update, so stay tuned.

Later...
G

Flying out

Hi Y'all,

Looks like everything is on schedule and I'll be flying out soon. Hope to post a few from Beijing in the next day or so.

Later...
G

Current Itinerary

Hi y'all,

Here's the latest itinerary:

July 28 Beijing West Railway Station - Xi'an Train No. Z19
July 31 Xi'an - Kunming MU5726 1055/1300
Aug 01 Kunming - Lijiang MU5945 0800/0850
Aug 07 Lijiang - Shenzhen ZH9982 1140/1350
Aug 10 Shenzhen - Huhhot ZH9847 0835/1120
Aug 13 Huhhot - Beijing CA1111 2000/2110


July 28th: Depart Beijing by train for Xian 9pm,
Beijing West Rail Station, Xi’an Train No. Z19
July 29-30th: Arrive Xian
Lodging: Xiangzimen International Hostel
July 31: Depart Xian for Kunming/Arrive Kunming
Aug. 1: Depart Kunming for Lijiang
Aug. 2: Hike to Ecolodge
Lodging Aug 2-5: Wenhai Ecolodge
Aug. 6: Hike to Lijiang
Aug. 7,8,9: Depart for Shenzhen
Lodging: Dragon Hostel Hong Kong
Aug. 10: Depart for Hohhot from Shenzhen
Aug. 11: Hohhot
Aug. 12: Hohhot
Aug. 13: Return to Beijing (evening if possible)
Lodging Aug 13-14: Beijing Far East International Youth Hostel
Aug. 15: Depart Beijing

From Lijiang, there will be a hike to the Wenhai Ecolodge, for a few days' stay there. Check it out here. It's within striking distance of Tiger Leaping Gorge, a place I hope to see because of the following photo, courtesy of Michael Palin.

Later...
G

2700 cu in for 3 weeks

Yep, that's that's right. Living out of a 2700 cu in daypack for the entire duration of the trip. That's yet another experiment for this trip.

The biggest dilemma involves my hiking boots. It's the rainy season in a few of the places I'll be going, and my Danner Mountain Light hikers are one of the most comfortable boots I've owned. But they are clunky and big, and will take up a sizable amount of valuable space should I need to carry them while travelling. A pack rehearsal is in the works for later today. Perhaps a pic to show that the daypack can be done.

Later...
G

Worldwide Gordon in the 21st Century

Hi y'all,

I'm Busy. Very busy.

Not usually how it goes, but this is different. I'm preparing to embark on a 3 week vacation to China, and I have much to do. Selling my old home. Settling in my new home. Catching up with projects at work. Establishing my first blog.

Why the blog, you ask? Simple. It's an experiment for the upcoming trip. I'll also be keeping a handwritten journal, which is another first for me. And, of course, taking pictures. The photos won't be a first, but an organized approach to collecting them will be. Lofty aspirations from a person who would rather experience people and surroundings than become a documentarian.

In the next few days, I'll post the itinerary, maybe a preliminary pic or two, and a thought or two. But don't anticipate these writings to be too personal and biographical, though. I'm an engineer. Stick around anyway, since my life seems to defy prediction. Past, present, and most likely future.

Later...
G